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Will 3D printing spark another industrial revolution?

First we saw hand-production methods, with highly skilled craftsmen wielding untold knowledge and expertise over the structural properties of material and the best way to implement them within a design. Then the industrial revolution changed everything, with machinery and complex equipment trumping traditional handiwork. As the digital age ticks on and technologies such as 3D printing ever improve, is the construction industry on the brink of yet another industrial revolution?

Development of 3D printing actually began in the 1980’s, however it wasn’t until around 2010 that the technology experienced a paradigm shift in opinion regarding its usefulness. Initially considered ‘newfangled,’ expensive and improbable to take off, the process of 3D printing soon began to grab the attention of avant garde architects, designers and progressive construction professionals worldwide.

The pros

In contributing to the built environment, 3D printing has thus far been used to create small, complex components to be implemented in a hybrid design of new and old methods and even to ‘print’ entire buildings. Chinese materials firm Yingchuang New Materials recently produced 10 3D-printed buildings in just 24hrs, using a custom-built printing machine that outputs layers of construction waste mixed with cement. See video below:

With government aims to end the housing crisis within a generation, could 3D printing exponentially shorten the ETA?

Other technologies that are rapidly developing within the sector are also abetting a future that will lean heavily towards 3D printing. Industry-wide use CAD and the rise in usage of building information modelling (BIM) in particular will enable greater use of 3D printing, as much of the information necessary to create a building via computer aided manufacturing will exist as a result of the design process.

3D printing would allow faster and more accurate construction of complex structures and components, whilst simultaneously lowering labour costs and waste production. It might also enable construction to be undertaken in harsh, dangerous environments previously unobtainable by a human workforce – expanding our horizons.

The cons

As well as a wealth of positives, there are equal concerns regarding a 3D printed future. Systemised construction has never been highly successful in the UK. There was a brief boom in panelised systems for high-rise apartment blocks and pre-fab housing following the Second World War, but frankly they were ugly, lacked character and were plagued with condensation problems.

Printers could also pose a threat to the existing workforce, reducing employee numbers throughout the industry, as ostensibly the 3D printer could do the majority of the work.

Read more: Construction begins on Europe’s largest floating solar farm
Watch: How London’s skyline will evolve if the 250 high rise towers planned or underway in the capital go ahead as planned!

Currently, only a limited number of materials can be used, since the same printer might not be able to print the required multiple materials to deliver the rich and diverse built environment we all need to thrive. In addition, utilising the technology on a building site would require expensive and complex equipment, and whilst it is possible to envisage using some simplified version to manufacture specialist components on a more industrial scale, it remains debatable as to whether the method would offer an attractive return in comparison to bricks and mortar.

The bigger picture

Obviously 3D printing has infinite potential in a wide variety of areas outside of construction, such as creating clothing, instruments, prosthetics, art, food, tools and – controversially – weaponry; to name but a few examples. As it becomes easier for businesses to transmit designs for new objects around the globe via the medium of internet, the need for freight services, manual skills and traditional manufacturing and transport techniques might deplete massively. This would result in an entirely different culture; a society free from import and export which could ultimately make or break entire global economies.

American economist and Nobel Prize winner Michael Spence says “the world we are entering is one in which the most powerful global flows will be ideas and digital capital, not goods, services, and traditional capital. Adapting to this will require shifts in mind-sets, policies, investments (especially in human capital), and quite possibly models of employment and distribution.”

Rome wasn’t built in a day but perhaps one day it could be printed in one. We just may be on the brink of the next chapter in our commercial and industrial history, will you say “viva la revolución” or do you stand as a proud Luddite, protecting our current way of life against the influx of technology that could serve as a blight to us as a species?

What are your thoughts on 3D printing? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Armstrong launches its latest solutions guide to floating ceilings

A dynamic guide for flexible, acoustic canopies and baffles has been published by Armstrong.

Expert advice on the almost endless range of dramatic design and acoustic possibilities that can be achieved with canopies and baffles, including Optima Baffles Curves, the first curved mineral baffles in the industry, is contained within a new floating ceilings brochure from Armstrong.

Floating ceilings inspire great spaces by introducing new shapes and add depth, scale and rhythm to internal areas, creating a contemporary aesthetic for modern building designers in the transport, education, commercial and retail sectors.

But the 56-page A4 guide also explains that canopies and baffles can help create a more sustainable interior, contributing to improved indoor air quality and acoustics, and supporting high-mass, low-energy construction.

All this in a peerless variety of colours, effects including wood, and materials including mineral and metal, as well as shapes including square, rectangular, circular, concave, convex and curved. Floating ceilings are also ideal for the easy integration of building services such as lighting and cooling and heating elements.

Floating ceilings are capable of providing greater acoustic sound absorption than continuous ones because all their faces and edges are exposed, and because they are easily relocatable are as suitable for retrofit and refurbishment as they are for new-build.

In addition, specially-engineered surfaces reflect up to 87% of light to improve illumination, making spaces brighter and more comfortable and cutting energy bills. They are additionally sustainable in that they are manufactured from a high degree of recycled material and are also recyclable.

The brochure also explains how product variety is backed by service support including consultations with specifiers or main contractors, supply of BIM and production of CAD drawings bespoke to the project which are then used to engineer a production schedule and logistics plan, and on-site guidance and post-installation review if required.

Armstrong’s new floating ceilings brochure is available to download here and via the Armstrong Ceiling Systems App available from both the Apple store as well as the Google Play store.

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VIDEO: How London’s skyline will evolve if…

…the 250 high rise towers planned or underway in the capital go ahead as planned!

Watch video below:

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Raising the bar with composite windows at EcoBuild

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New, innovative, window types and a wider range of timber finishes are all on display, on Uniform Architectural’s stand E3200. A wealth of truly original ideas and benefits to meet Architect’s and client’s requirements are the central theme of our stand for 2016.

Slender profiles, invisible corner joints, face drainage, trickle vents, hinges, handles, etc, make the uni_one® Timber/Aluminium Composite Window, one of the best designed – and thus, increasingly popular in London and beyond.

Every imaginable opening type and the smoothest of Patio gliders are all awaiting your inspection!

Copies of the 2016 uni_one brochures and further information is available from Uniform Architectural Ltd on 01275 217227 email: enquiries@uniform-arch.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.uniform-arch.co.uk.

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Planning With Half a Mind; Why Planners Resist Emotion

Many planners ignore people’s emotions when they analyse social problems, and as a result planners often get things wrong, according to ‘Planning Theory & Practice,’ published by Taylor & Francis.’

Planners aim to change how people act including where they live, locate a business, send children to school, with whom, how, and where they travel, and where and on what they spend money.

Planning successfully depends on understanding what motivates people. However most planners continue to ignore how people think and act emotionally, despite social sciences and other professions waking up to the power of emotions as they recognise their influence on how people act. In the article, ‘Planning with half a mind: Why planners resist emotion’ published in Planning Theory & Practice, Howell Baum indicates that the few planners who recognise emotional concerns are more successful than the planners who ignore them.

So, if emotions matter, why do planners ignore them?

Historically, planners gained authority for their profession by claiming to solve problems rationally, without giving any attention to residents’ emotions or their own. As a result, planners who identify with the profession must ignore emotions if they want authority. Crucially, the reason society values planners’ claim to ignore emotions and gives them authority for doing so comes from the culture of the Enlightenment, which regards emotion as a threat to reason and encourages people to pretend they have no emotions. Baum posits that by its very nature, planning as a profession will always resist thinking about emotions, resulting in unrealistic and ineffective planning.

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Senior’s class act

Leading fenestration manufacturer and designer Senior Architectural Systems has helped deliver a dramatic new design scheme for a new performing arts centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The new state of the art centre, which is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme College, features various glazing solutions from Senior that have been installed by Aire Valley Architectural Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction. The slim sightlines and aesthetic flexibility of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling made it the ideal choice to create the modern entrance to the building and the system has been used throughout to maximise the flow of natural light into the dance studios and communal areas. The centre’s bright and spacious design has been further complemented by Senior’s SPW600e windows and the use of Senior’s SD automatic doors.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the glazing elements of the new performing arts centre provide an attractive contrast to the building’s striking façade which comprises a mix of render, aluminium and terracotta rainscreen cladding. The exceptional thermal efficiency of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling and SPW600/E windows also met with the scheme’s stringent sustainability targets which has led to the centre achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

The new £5.5m performing arts centre includes teaching rooms, dance studios, performing arts spaces, a 200 seat auditorium, music studios and a student café.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.

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Marley Eternit’s Cedral sets the pace in rapid renovation

Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap fibre cement weatherboard has been at the forefront of a fast paced transformation at South View Leisure Park.

The Skegness leisure park was completely renovated with the main building being rebuilt as part of a four-month project after it was burnt down in a major fire last December. A&M Architectural Partnership led the £3 million development, with Wasp Construction overseeing the installation of the cladding.

Marley Eternit’s Cedral external cladding material was specified to reconstruct the original 550m2 building due to its fast and simple installation properties. Wasp Construction’s three installers had just over two months to clad the entrance building, including all verticals, corner details and gable peaks, and all the windows and porches.

Featuring a nine-hole golf course and two fishing lakes, the leisure park is a popular destination for holidaymakers, making it a priority to ensure the work was carried out on time to get the park back up and running quickly.

Cedral, in beige and white, was specified to clad all public areas of the holiday park including the reception, restaurants and swimming pool building. The fibre cement material was used for its durability whilst simultaneously reflecting the traditional and picturesque costal style of Skegness.

Mike Atherton, managing director of Wasp Construction, said: “We had never previously used Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding but it worked fantastically well. The fibre cement lap boards were extremely simple to install, allowing us to get the project and all of its finishing touches completed to deadline. The project turn around was remarkable and we were really surprised at how fast it was to install.”

Mike continued: “The architects wanted the building to represent the traditional timber cladding effect which had been installed on the previous building. However, after the fire, Cedral Lap had the added benefit of achieving fire classification A2-s1, d0 to EN13501-1 whilst also offering durability and low maintenance benefits.

“We trialled cutting the boards in three to four different styles, it was extremely adaptable and we were able to create a completely cohesive and polished design for all of the external profiles.”

The South View Leisure Park re-opened in sections during its rebuild and was completed earlier this year. The quick installation properties of the Cedral Lap helped the holiday park to re-open to holidaymakers within four months of the fire, bringing business back to the local community.

For more information on Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding solutions visit: www.cedral.co.uk.

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Architects deliver ‘civic qualities’ with Shackerley’s ceramic granite cladding

Shackerley has supplied over 900m2 of SureClad® ceramic granite ventilated façade cladding in different styles for Consett Academy and Consett Leisure Centre, adding premium quality external finishes for both parts of this £44 million regeneration project in the North East.

From the outset, the new academy and leisure centre were to be constructed as a single building with many shared facilities, but each part of the development was to have its own clear identity and sense of purpose. The specification of ceramic granite façade panels in different colourways and surface textures has helped to achieve this.

Seymour Harris, architects for the main contractor Carillion, had previous experience of using SureClad® in the education sector and had no hesitation in specifying Shackerley’s patented façade system when developing the detailed design for this scheme.

Multi-format polished and unpolished black façade panels from one of Shackerley’s most popular ceramic granite ranges have been installed ‘broken bonded’ to form a key design element of the main frontage of the Academy.

“Using premium black materials normally associated with the high end commercial sector underlines the message that the Academy is a place of work and that learning leads towards a bigger world,“ commented Seymour Harris Director, Tim Johnson. “The Academy also has a technology specialism and the use of an advanced technical cladding system seems appropriate as it serves to emphasise the focus of the school.”

The adjoining Leisure Centre has been clad with SureClad® ceramic granite façades in a lighter stone colourway, contrasting starkly with black detailing at the main entrance. “The cladding material has given the Leisure Centre the civic quality required, and maintained design continuity with the Academy, whilst the less imposing, brighter colour has given the facility its own fresh identity,” said Tim.

“The SureClad® system gave us the design flexibility we needed,” he added,” It allowed us to manipulate the coursing on the façade to employ both matt and polished layers of different heights and to interface effectively with entrance features and glazing elements. The ease of forming the junctions with other materials was an added bonus.”

He concluded: “The SureClad® ceramic granite just gave us everything we were looking for… excellent clean lines, stunning appearance of quality, robustness with long term low maintenance. The choice available also meant that we were able to reflect very effectively the natural local materials of stone buildings, slate roofs, and strata and outcrops of the surrounding landscape in our designs, whilst maintaining the civic quality demanded and continuity of detailing”.

For further details please contact Shackerley on 0800 783 0391 or visit www.shackerley.com.

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Value Engineering – What is it all about?

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As the construction industry strives to provide the optimum building solution, just how can companies today differentiate themselves and ensure they are offering best value?

Steve Thompson, Managing Director of light steel frame manufacturer, EOS Facades explains how they are using value engineering and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to meet the demands of today’s construction industry.

Value Engineering – What is it?

Today’s customers are savvier, more commercially aware and they expect more for their money. As manufacturers and service providers, we need to react and meet this demand, or risk losing out.

But before we can do this, we need to understand what value really is.

Assessing best value depends on the objectives set – speed of construction, build costs or the development of a sustainable, energy efficient building – or perhaps a combination of all.

Adopting a ‘one system fits all approach’ will not necessarily deliver best value. It is not about economies of scale but it is about an optimised approach – working with the client to select the right solution, at the right price, to deliver the right performance.

Adding Value: Design for Manufacture and Assembly

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As a manufacturer of steel solutions, EOS Facades take full advantage of offsite manufacturing techniques by adhering to Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) protocols. DfMA is now recognised as the foundation for concurrent engineering processes to streamline and fully optimise the structure. The process aids the building design process and helps to identify, quantify and eliminate waste or inefficiency where possible.

At EOS Facades we pride ourselves on driving quality through precision manufacturing whilst delivering accurate results on time and on budget.

We have taken steps to ensure that DfMA is integrated throughout the design and manufacturing process. We have made considerable investment in developing technology to aide specification and design. We are totally committed to working with our clients on product and service innovations to help them gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace – delivering cost and time efficiencies.

The EOS manufacturing facility is a 40,000 sq ft operation that houses state-of-the-art machinery and technology providing offsite systems and solutions that meet the needs of our customers. Our manufacturing facility is well equipped to cater for the demands of offsite construction and precision engineering. Our sophisticated roll-forming machines have embedded framing technology that enables production of self-jigging framing components that are ready for assembly, eliminating the need to manually cut onsite.

All of our products are manufactured under strict quality management control which is fully compliant with BS EN ISO 9001:2008. Our accredited quality management systems and procedures eradicate onsite variability and ensure life time ‘in service’ performance and durability.

Adding Value: Software and Building Information Modelling

Precision built offsite products require the application of leading-edge technology and contemporary manufacturing processes. We have invested substantially in the latest software and hardware systems in steel frame production. Our systems combine the latest E-Frame technology platform with proven assembly processes, providing fully framed panels that do not require jigging.

Sophisticated software transfers building design information directly to our production plant where we are able to manufacture to accuracies that exceed construction industry norms. Once the panels have been designed using our 3D Tekla modelling software, they are directly uploaded to the roll-forming machines, using a bespoke CAD/CAM interface, where they are produced to exact dimensions using CNC technology. Each stud is identified with an inkjet printer to match the assembly drawing and every frame has an identification label attached. This identifies the project, frame number, order number and site location on the GA site drawings so they can be positioned quickly to their onsite location.

Adding Value: Product

Product quality is essential. EOS only use minimum S390Nmm2 G275gsm steel (higher grades and coatings on request). By only using steel with a protective coating and design detailing that eliminates prolonged exposure, EOS are confident in the durability of our systems. Research has shown in these conditions coated steel has a potential life of over 1,000 years.

The team at EOS support key industry standards and strive to exceed expectations on reliability and delivery. All of our products are manufactured to rigorous quality standards which are fully compliant with the Construction Products Regulations – EN 1090-1: 2009 + AL: 2011. Our quality management systems are BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 registered.

Adding Value: Cost

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We offer all-inclusive fixed price packages that are uniquely supplied with proprietary brackets and fixings required. All Double Studs/Opening Jambs/Lintels and Sills will be dispatched from our factory preassembled. This is a flexible service and should you require the product to arrive unassembled, EOS will pre-punch in the factory, ghost assemble and supply, together with all the necessary screws and special drill bits, for assembly and installation onsite.

Adding Value: People

EOS Facades are constantly striving to improve the way we work and the resulting benefits are passed onto our customers. Research & Development is a core focus of our business and it is not just down to one specific team, at EOS everybody is encouraged to put recommendations forward, whether this is a process or an alteration to a product – that way every part of our business can be enhanced.

EOS also offer a total partner solution including application consultancy, structural design support and value engineering, as well as quality manufacturing.

To meet the demands, we need people to make the change happen.

Now the construction industry is starting to recognise the shift in needs of the client, manufacturers must ask themselves, are they well equipped to meet demands or will they risk losing out?

For more information on EOS Facades’ products and services visit: www.eos-facades.co.uk

Adding Value: Knowledge Sharing

In a bid to share their extensive knowledge, EOS Facades are offering a series of CPD sessions, designed to highlight the various light gauge steel solutions available, and explain how these can be applied in real life scenarios.

The hour long seminars will cover a wide range of steel solutions and services including:

  • Cold Formed Sections
  • SFS Infill Systems
  • SFS Onsite Stud and Track
  • SFS Offsite Pre-assembled
  • Other applications – including LBS, Lattices and Cassettes
  • Design
  • Partnering
  • Examples of Best Practice

These CPD sessions could not be more convenient – an EOS Facades technical representative will come directly to you and the seminars are completely free of charge. Get involved and start talking about light gauge steel!

To request your CPD session, simply contact Thomas Elliott, EOS Facades Technical Sales Manager on: Email: thomas@eosuk.org or Telephone: 07528 364 581.

For more information please visit www.eos-facades.co.uk.

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91-year-old tenant helps architecture students design homes for the future

Housing experts from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) are teaming up with a 91-year-old tenant and a leading housing organisation to help architecture students design homes of the future.

Leicester School of Architecture and DMU’s Centre for Comparative Housing Research (CCHR) are working alongside social housing and care provider emh group and extra care scheme tenant Mona Walkden, 91, to comment on the proposals of Architecture students for an international competition.

The European Federation of Assisted Living is challenging Architecture students to design new homes for the elderly.

By 2060, more than half of Europe’s population will be past retirement age – a fact which presents huge challenges to the housing sector to ensure homes are fit for purpose, accessible and affordable.

To help students understand the issues, April Knapp, regional development manager of emh group, and 91-year-old tenant Mona Walkden came to DMU to talk to students about design and needs of tenants for a special session.

Mona, who lives in Leicestershire, said “I found it very interesting. I think atmosphere is so important and my feeling as that I would like them very much to look at fitments and see how difficult it is for elderly people in wheelchairs to use sinks and open cupboards as often there are problems.”

“I’m very fit for my age but I live with people who are disabled and it gives you an insight into the problems they face. I feel that my job is to try to get the best living accommodation that you can possibly get for tenants.”

Chan Kataria, emh group Chief Executive, said “With an ageing population, the need for more suitable housing for the older generations has never been more acute.”

“We have started to address the situation with Oak Court, our extra care scheme in Blaby, Leicestershire, which is pioneering health and housing integration, but thousands more homes are needed across the country in order to meet the future needs of a rapidly changing society.”

Dr Jamileh Manoochehri, from the Leicester School of Architecture welcomed the invitation from Prof Richardson to take on the task of designing for an aging population.

Dr Manoochehri said “The Architecture students are considering what constitutes dwelling and they are taking up the challenge of designing accessible dwellings that continue to feel like home. “

“Each student is working on a different approach, some are concerned with overcoming the physical limitations that come with aging and others are investigating means of countering the isolation of the aging population by making use of the typology of the courtyard, or by designing homes that accommodate pets; and by establishing natural links between the interior and the natural world outside.”

Professor Jo Richardson, director of DMU’s CCHR, approached emh group to help set up the event. The CCHR has carried out research on the future of housing and in particular highlighted the increasing need for affordable rental accommodation.

Prof Richardson said “The changing population demographic is a huge challenge not only for the housing sector but health, business and the economy.”

“This will be an opportunity for our students to learn from Mona and April’s experience and expertise.”

“We are pleased to be able to use our close links with leaders in the field such as emh group to benefit students in their studies.”

Judges will be looking for high-quality ideas which address issues but also fit into people’s lifestyles and allow independent living as far as possible.

Judges will consider entries from across Europe. The winner, who will receive 10,000 Euros in prizes, is due to be announced in March.

See more here.

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